Disturbing a rat’s nest is not recommended. Doing so will only worsen the situation in the long term, whether you’re a homeowner or business owner. Rats carry dangerous diseases that pose a real threat to you and those around you. These diseases include leptospirosis, salmonellosis, plague, rat-bite fever, tularemia, bartonellosis, and more. The pathogens that rats carry, typically in their fur, saliva, urine, and droppings, can be spread even if you simply discover the nest without direct contact with the rats themselves. This is because the particles become airborne. It’s essential to seek professional assistance from pest control experts as soon as you notice signs of rats on your property.
What Does a Rat’s Nest Look Like?
There are two ways to visually identify a rat’s nest. Here’s a brief overview of what a rat’s nest looks like from both the outside and the inside.
First, let’s discuss the external signs. You’re more likely to notice these signs because rats like to burrow, making the inside of the nest less visible. Look out for clawing and gnawing around your home, particularly around small gaps and cracks along walls and floors. Outside your building, you may see holes in the ground acting as burrow entries around the property.
Now, let’s delve into the appearance of the nest itself. Rat nests are often mistaken for bird nests because both accumulate soft materials. Rat nests may contain insulation, paper, card, and other textiles that they have chewed up and shredded. Unlike birds, who prefer using twigs and leaves, you’ll also find rat droppings in this area, along with the pungent smell of their urine.
How Far Do Rats Travel from Their Nest?
Like any nesting creature, rats prefer not to venture too far from their nest, especially if they have found what they believe to be a safe space for breeding. They typically travel for food and nesting materials. Rats are most active at night or dusk and can travel up to a mile, depending on the availability of food. However, they usually stay within 100 to 500 feet from their nest.
Will Rats Leave if You Disturb Them?
Upon discovering a rat’s nest, it may be tempting to disturb it, but it’s advised against. While rats might temporarily leave a nest if disturbed, they will likely find another location nearby to nest, potentially creating multiple nests and exacerbating the issue. Additionally, there is a risk of rats returning to the same space if the nest is not properly dealt with.
Another alarming reason not to disturb a rat’s nest is the potential for aggression. Rats can become aggressive when their nest is threatened, increasing the risk of disease transmission. You don’t even have to be bitten to contract a disease from a rat. Simply attempting to destroy an empty nest can release dangerous airborne particles within your property.
If you accidentally disturb a rat’s nest, don’t panic. Open the windows in the room and close it off before calling a pest control professional. Do not re-enter the room, as it puts yourself and others at risk.
How to Destroy a Rat’s Nest
The first step in destroying a rat’s nest is to remove the rodents themselves. This ensures that the nest can be safely dealt with without encountering aggressive rats. However, attempting to destroy a rat’s nest on your own is not advisable. As mentioned earlier, there are airborne particles that can be disturbed if you lack the proper equipment and experience.
At DHPL Travels, we have 30 years of experience in dealing with rat nests. We eliminate the rodents, safely remove and destroy the nest, and decontaminate the area. We also offer options to prevent future reinfestation with rodent grilles, sealants, and other solutions.
Put your mind at rest and avoid unnecessary health risks. Contact DHPL Travels today for rat nest removal in London and Essex, including Chelmsford, Colchester, and Brentwood.
